Road Safety Device

ABSTRACT

An elasticated, high-visibility band is stretched over the rear boot of a car, providing a highly-visible X to alert other road users. The band is in the form of two connected loops or of one loop with two ties for attachment to the car.

FIELD

The present invention relates to road safety apparatus and methods, inparticular apparatus and methods for alerting drivers to a stationaryvehicle, especially a stationary car, on the road.

BACKGROUND

Road safety devices, such as red triangles, to alert motorists tostationary vehicles are known. US2003196361 discloses a collapsibletriangular warning sign that can be placed on the road at a distance infront of or behind a stationary vehicle to allow passing vehiclessufficient time and distance to take avoiding action. It is, however,necessary for these signs to be placed at some distance from the vehiclefor optimum effectiveness. This requires the user to walk away from thevehicle in order to position the sign, often on a busy road and in poorvisibility conditions. The user must also remember to recover the signonce the vehicle has been repaired or removed.

Some cars today include a red triangle in the boot which is visible whenthe boot is left open. The triangle is small compared to the car and isvisible only when the boot is left open, which presents a security risk.

Other methods of alerting motorists to a stationary vehicle includeusing the hazard lights and/or side lights to signal the vehicle isimmobile. However, these lights must be powered by the car battery andare therefore only usable for a finite period of time.

AIMS AND OBJECTS

It is an object of the present invention to provide road safetyapparatus and methods to alert other motorists to a stationary vehicleon the road. It is an object of specific embodiments of the invention toprovide a device that can be quickly and easily attached to a vehicle,especially to a car, to alert other motorists of its presence and thatthe vehicle is stationary. A further object is to provide a method ofalerting motorists to a stationary vehicle.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides a method of alerting roadusers to a vehicle, comprising attaching an elasticated, high-visibilitysign across a portion of the side, front or rear of the vehicle. Amethod of alerting road users to a car comprises stretching anelasticated band over a portion of the rear of the car, wherein the bandis made of or comprises high-visibility material so as to present one ormore highly-visible lines across the rear of the car. In use, the signor band preferably presents a highly visible X.

The invention additionally provides an elasticated band, made of orcomprising high-visibility material which fits, when stretched, over aportion of the side, front or rear of a vehicle.

Using the band, a highly visible alert is easily attached to a vehicle,especially a car, so that other road users can see the vehicle and e.g.ensure they do not drive too close to it or that they take otheravoiding/evasive action. The alert can be quickly attached and,referring to embodiments designed for cars, fits to most sizes and makesof car.

The method and band are of application generally to road vehicles,typically motorised ones. In different embodiments the method and bandare adapted for use on road vehicles such as cars, vans, light goodsvehicles, trucks, pick-up trucks, sports utility vehicles and lorries,though can also be used on non-motorised vehicles such as trailers,caravans and the like. The invention is in particular suited to smallervehicles such as cars, vans, light goods vehicles and sports utilityvehicles, and especially to cars.

In more detail, a preferred method of the invention comprises attachingthe band to the rear of the vehicle, and preferred embodiments of theinvention are for use on cars. The band is suitably attached so as topresent an alert in the form of a cross to road users. An effectivealert is a highly visible X.

The high visibility material can be of various types and many are knownand in use on existing safety clothing or equipment. The band can forexample comprise material which is brightly coloured or reflective orboth brightly coloured and reflective. Other suitable material isfluorescent material and can be day-glo coloured, such as yellow,orange, white or red, or combinations of one or more of these colours.Other effective safety colours are also suitable. The band canadditionally be made of or comprise material to which a reflectivecoating has been applied—either to the band or to a part of the band. Inan example described in more detail below a device of the invention ismade from a band which comprises a strip of brightly coloured materialand a strip of reflective material. In a specific embodiment of theinvention, the band comprises yellow fluorescent material with a redreflective strip.

A band of one embodiment of the invention comprises (i) at least onehigh-visibility portion which in use is visible to road users and (ii)at least one elastic portion which attaches the band to the vehicle. Theband is for example in the form of a high-visibility X with fourelasticated connectors, one extending from each arm of the X. Thehigh-visibility X need not be elasticated, but can be. The connectorscan be joined so as to form two connected loops or may have ends adaptedto be attached to a vehicle, for example to attach inside a car door.

A band of a further embodiment of the invention is made of materialwhich is both elasticated and also highly visible.

A still further band of the invention is in the form of a loop to whichtwo arms are attached—the loop plus arms embodiments. The arms may bewholly or partially elasticated. Each arm can have a first end connectedto the loop and a second, free end, or the free ends can be releasablyconnected to each other. Various forms of releasable connection aresuitable for connecting the free ends of the arms. In a preferredembodiment of the invention, each free end comprises a strip of a hookand loop fastener e.g. Velcro®, allowing the ends to be joined to eachother. An advantage of connecting the free ends of the arms using a hookand loop fastener, such as Velcro®, is that there is little to no riskof scratching the vehicle when fitting or removing the band.

A further option is that each free end has a connector for attachment toa vehicle, for example for attachment to a car window. In particularembodiments of the invention the free ends of the arms attach to handgrips or seat belts inside the vehicle via a connector which can be ahook.

Another band of the invention is in the form of two connected loops—thetwo loops embodiments. As will be appreciated, connecting the arms ofthe loop plus arms embodiment forms, substantially, a band of the twoloops embodiments. These loops can be in a figure-of-eight and aresuitably of approximately equal size.

In use of embodiments of the invention comprising a loop and two freeends, a method of attaching the band comprises stretching a loop of theband around a lower portion of the boot door of a car, closing the bootdoor and stretching the free ends of the band to respective left andright-hand sides of the car, and attaching the free ends to the car. Thefree ends can be attached to the car by a number of mechanisms, forexample, by shutting the free ends in the rear doors or windows of thecar or by tying the free ends to the grab handles. An alternative methodof attaching the band comprises stretching a loop of the band around alower portion of the boot door of a car, closing the boot door andstretching the free ends of the band to respective left and right-handsides of the car, passing the free ends through respective left andright-hand windows of the car and attaching the free ends to each other.As will be appreciated, this method of fitting the band is more easilyachieved when at least two people jointly fit the band to the vehicle.

A yet alternative method of attaching the band comprises stretching aloop of the band around a first portion (e.g. the top) of a door of avehicle, stretching the free ends of the band to respective left andright-hand sides of the opposite portion (e.g. the bottom) of the door,passing the free ends around the inside of the door, attaching the freeends to each other and closing the door.

In use of a preferred embodiment of the invention comprising a loop andtwo free ends, a method of attaching the band comprises releasablyconnecting the two free ends of the band to form a band with two loops,stretching a first loop of the band around an upper portion of a door ofa vehicle, stretching a second loop of the band around a lower portionof the door of the vehicle, and closing the door.

For bands with two loops, a method of attachment comprises stretching afirst loop of the band around an upper portion of the boot door of acar, stretching a second loop of the band around a lower portion of theboot door of the car, and closing the boot door.

The band can be fitted to a single door or boot of a vehicle withoutinhibiting access to the vehicle. Provided that the band is fittedcorrectly, the door or boot will open, close and lock as usual.

Bands of the invention are of a range of sizes. The band is suitablyfrom 2-15 cm wide, preferably from 3-10 cm wide and more preferably from4-8 cm wide. A particular band, described in more detail below is about5 cm wide. This has been used effectively to mark cars with ahighly-visible cross. A particularly preferred band of the invention isabout 8 cm wide.

The band length will vary according to its intended use. Particularembodiments have been made for use with cars and suitable lengths arefound to be from 300-700 cm or 300-600 cm, preferably from 400-550 cm or400-500 cm in length. One band used in an example is about 435 cm longand stretches to a maximum of about twice that length. A particularlypreferred band of the invention is about 500 cm in length.

EXAMPLES

The invention is now described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic front view of a band of a first embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic front view of a band of a second embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic front view of the band of FIG. 1 which has beenfolded;

FIG. 4 shows a car to which the band of FIG. 1 has been attached;

FIG. 5 shows a car to which a band of FIG. 2 has been attached.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, a band (10) is made of elasticated materialformed into loops (11 and 12). The band is made of a single piece ofmaterial with end (13) attached to end (14) at a joint (15). Stitching(16) holds the band in the two loops and forms the material into afigure-of-eight. The band is made by folding the material about itshalfway point, forming a loop in the middle with two free ends. The loopis held in place by the stitching (16). The two free ends are then eachtwisted one half twist and attached to each other. The resultant bandcan then lie flat when stretched over the boot door of a car, as shownfor example in FIG. 4. If the stitching is undone the band opens into asingle large loop with one full 360° rotation in the material.

The band has front surface (17) and rear surface (18). The front surface(17) is divided into three strips, being bright yellow strips (19 and20) separated by a central reflective strip (21).

The band is made from a 435 cm length of material with a 3 cm overlapwhere its ends (13 and 14) are joined. The band is elastic and can bestretched to approximately twice its starting length, returning to thatlength when the stretching is relaxed.

The band can be folded by holding the stitching (16) at the top, puttingone loop inside the other, turning the stitching (16) 90 degrees andthen folding each loop twice so that there are 16 layers of material.This folded band is approximately 25 cm long and fits convenientlyinside a pouch or car door or elsewhere.

In use, the band is first unfolded. One loop is then stretched over theinside of the back of the boot so that the front surface (17) and thecross-shaped alert formed around the stitching (16) is on the outside ofthe boot door. The second loop is then stretched around a rear portionof the boot door. The boot can then be closed, holding the band in placeand presenting a highly visible X to other road users.

Referring to FIG. 2, another embodiment of the invention is illustratedin which band (30) comprises a loop (31) and two free arms (32 a and 32b), ending respectively in end portions (33 and 34). The band is formedinto a loop (31) by the stitching (36). As for the first embodiment, theband has a front (37) and a back (38), with the front being divided intobright yellow strips (39 and 40) separated by a central reflective strip(41). The band is 435 cm in length and 5 cm wide. At the end portions(33 and 34) ties (44, 45 and 42, 43 respectively) are attached to theends and can be used to tie or otherwise attach the end portions to theinside of a vehicle, especially to a car. Strips of hook and loopfastener e.g. Velcro® (53 a and 53 b) on the two free arms (32 a and 32b) allow the fee arms to be releasably connected to each other. The endportions (33 and 34) may also be secured by being shut in the rearpassenger doors of the vehicle.

In use of this band, the loop (31) is stretched around the lower portionof a car boot and the ends (33 and 34) then stretched one by one overthe boot door and inside the car windows where they can be separatelyattached. Alternatively, the free arms (32 a and 32 b) are connectedtogether, using the strips of hook and loop fastener (53 a and 53 b), toform a band with two loops, and which can be used in the same way as theband of FIG. 1. One loop can then be stretched over the inside of theback of the boot so that the front surface (37) and the cross-shapedalert formed around the stitching (36) are on the outside of the bootdoor, the second loop stretched around a rear portion of the boot doorand the door closed. A highly visible X is presented to other roadusers.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, these show embodiments of the invention inuse. In FIG. 4, an alert is shown on car (49) by stretched band (50).This band is of the type shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

In FIG. 5, a stretched band (52), of the type shown in FIG. 2, isstretched over car (51).

The invention thus provides road safety apparatus and use thereof.

1. A method of alerting road users to a vehicle, comprising attaching anelasticated, high-visibility band across a portion of the side, front orrear of the vehicle.
 2. A method according to claim 1, comprisingattaching the band to the rear of the vehicle.
 3. A method according toclaim 1 or 2 when the vehicle is a car.
 4. A method according to any ofclaims 1-3, comprising attaching the band so as to present an alert inthe form of a cross to road users.
 5. A method according to claim 4wherein the alert is a highly visible X.
 6. A method according to any ofclaims 1-5 wherein the band comprises: (i) at least one high-visibilityportion which in use is visible to road users; and (ii) at least oneelastic portion which attaches the band to the vehicle.
 7. A methodaccording to any of claims 1-6 wherein the band is in the form of a loopto which two arms, optionally wholly or partially elasticated, areattached.
 8. A method according to claim 7 wherein each arm has a firstend connected to the loop and a second, free end.
 9. A method accordingto claim 8 wherein the free ends can be releasably connected to eachother.
 10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the free ends arereleasably connected via a hook and loop fastener.
 11. A methodaccording to claim 8 wherein each free end has a connector forattachment to a vehicle, for example for attachment to a car window or ahandgrip inside the vehicle.
 12. A method according to any of claims 1-6wherein the band is in the form of two connected loops.
 13. A methodaccording to any of claims 1-6 wherein the band comprises two loops in afigure-of-eight.
 14. A method according to claim 12 or 13 wherein theloops are of approximately equal size
 15. A method according to any ofclaims 7-11, comprising stretching a loop of the band around a lowerportion of the boot door of a car, closing the boot door and stretchingthe free ends of the band to respective left and right-hand sides of thecar, and attaching the free ends to the car.
 16. A method according toany of claims 7-11, comprising releasably connecting the two free endsof the band to form a band with two loops, stretching a first loop ofthe band around an upper portion of a door of a vehicle, stretching asecond loop of the band around a lower portion of the door of thevehicle, and closing the door.
 17. A method according to any of claims12-14, comprising stretching a first loop of the band around an upperportion of the boot door of a car, stretching a second loop of the bandaround a lower portion of the boot door of the car, and closing the bootdoor.
 18. A method according to any previous claim, wherein the band isin the form of a high-visibility X with four elasticated connectors, oneextending from each arm of the X.
 19. A method according to any ofclaims 1-18, wherein the band comprises material which is brightlycoloured or reflective or both brightly coloured and reflective.
 20. Amethod according to claim 19 wherein the material is day-glo coloured,yellow, orange, white, red or another effective safety colour.
 21. Amethod according to claim 19 or 20 wherein the material is made ofmaterial which is brightly coloured or reflective or both brightlycoloured and reflective.
 22. A method according to any of claims 19-21wherein a reflective coating has been applied to the band or to a partof the band.
 23. A method according to any previous claim wherein theband comprises a strip of brightly coloured material and a strip ofreflective material.
 24. A method according to any previous claimwherein the band is from 2-15 cm wide.
 25. A method according to claim24 wherein the band is from 3-10 cm wide.
 26. A method according toclaim 24 wherein the band is from 4-8 cm wide.
 27. A method according toany previous claim wherein the band is from 300-600 cm in length.
 28. Amethod according to claim 5 wherein the band is from 400-500 cm inlength.
 29. A method of alerting road users to a car, comprisingstretching an elasticated band over a portion of the rear of the car,wherein the band is made of or comprises high-visibility material so asto present one or more highly-visible lines across the rear of the car.30. A method according to claim 29, comprising stretching the band overthe rear of the car so as to present a highly visible X.
 31. A methodaccording to claim 29 or 30, wherein the band is as defined in any ofclaims 4-14 and 18-28.
 32. An elasticated band, made of or comprisinghigh-visibility material which fits, when stretched, over a portion ofthe side, front or rear of a vehicle.
 33. An elasticated band accordingto claim 32, wherein the band comprises: (i) at least onehigh-visibility portion which in use is visible to road users; and (ii)at least one elastic portion which attaches the band to the vehicle. 34.An elasticated band according to claim 32 or 33, wherein thehigh-visibility portion comprises a highly visible X.
 35. An elasticatedband according to any of claims 32-34, wherein the band is in the formof a loop to which two wholly or partially elasticated arms areattached.
 36. An elasticated band according to claim 35, wherein eacharm has a first end connected to the loop and a second, free end.
 37. Anelasticated band according to claim 36, wherein the free ends can bereleasably connected to each other.
 38. An elasticated band according toclaim 37, wherein the free ends are releasably connected via a hook andloop fastener.
 39. An elasticated band according to claim 36, whereineach free end has a connector for attachment to a vehicle, for examplefor attachment to a car window.
 40. An elasticated band according to anyof claims 32-39, wherein the band is in the form of two connected loops.41. An elasticated band according to any of claims 32-40, wherein theband comprises two loops in a figure-of-eight.
 42. An elasticated bandaccording to claim 41, wherein the loops are of approximately equal size43. An elasticated band according to any of claims 32-34, wherein theband is in the form of a high-visibility X with four elasticatedconnectors, one extending from each arm of the X.
 44. An elasticatedband according to any of claims 32-43, wherein the band comprisesmaterial which is brightly coloured or reflective or both brightlycoloured and reflective.
 45. An elasticated band according to claim 44,wherein the material is day-glo coloured, yellow, orange, white or red.46. An elasticated band according to any of claims 44-45, wherein thematerial is made of material which is brightly coloured or reflective orboth brightly coloured and reflective.
 47. An elasticated band accordingto any of claims 44-46, wherein a reflective coating has been applied tothe band or to a part of the band.
 48. An elasticated band according toany of claims 32-47, wherein the band comprises a strip of brightlycoloured material and a strip of reflective material.
 49. An elasticatedband according to any of claims 32-48, wherein the band is from 2-15 cmwide.
 50. An elasticated band according to any of claims 32-49, whereinthe band is from 3-10 cm wide.
 51. An elasticated band according to anyof claims 32-50, wherein the band is from 4-8 cm wide.
 52. Anelasticated band according to any of claims 32-51, wherein the band isfrom 300-600 cm in length.
 53. An elasticated band according to any ofclaims 32-52, wherein the band is from 400-500 cm in length.
 54. Anelasticated band according to any of claims 32-53, wherein the vehicleis a car.
 55. An elasticated band according to any of claims 32-54,which fits when stretched over a boot door of a car.
 56. An elasticatedband substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to FIG. 1.57. An elasticated band substantially as hereinbefore described withreference to FIG. 2.